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TEXS FLOODSThe Texas Flash Flood Is a Preview of the Chaos to Come
Climate change is making disasters more common, more deadly and far more costly, even as the federal government is running away from the policies that might begin to protect the nation.
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WATER SECURITYA Deadline Looms for a New Colorado River Plan. What Happens If There Isn’t One?
It would likely be complicated, messy and involve big lawsuits, according to experts and former officials.
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NUCLEAR POWERSmaller Nuclear Reactors Spark Renewed Interest in a Once-Shunned Energy Source
In the past two years, half the states have taken action to promote nuclear power, from creating nuclear task forces to integrating nuclear into long-term energy plans.
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POWER-GRID SECURITYWarnings of Cybersecurity Threats to Smart Grids from False Data Injection Attacks
Smart grids face a significant cybersecurity risk as they become more complex with the increasing integration of distributed power supplies.
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COASTAL CHALLENGESUneven Land Sinking Across New Orleans Increasing Flood Risk
Parts of New Orleans and its surrounding wetlands are gradually sinking, and while most of the city remains stable, a new study suggests that sections of the region’s $15 billion post-Katrina flood protection system may need regular upgrades to outpace long-term land subsidence.
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DISASTERSNIST Releases Extensive Video Update on Champlain Towers South Investigation
NIST has released an extensive video update on its investigation into the June 2021 partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside, Florida.
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CASCADING HAZARDSHurricane Helene Set Up Future Disasters, from Landslides to Flooding -- Cascading Hazards Like These Are Now Upending Risk Models
Hurricane Helene lasted only a few days in September 2024, but it altered the landscape of the Southeastern U.S. in profound ways that will affect the hazards local residents face far into the future.
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DRONESBOOM! LIGHTS OUT
Power generation is the center of gravity for space capabilities, and it is vulnerable to the effects of explosive ordnance, for example, drone delivered bombs.
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FLOODSNew Tool Could Help Florida Homeowners Weather Flood Risks, Lower Insurance Costs
With flood risks increasing from extreme weather events like hurricanes and even routine plumbing issues, researchers are helping Florida homeowners make smarter choices about building materials and interior finishes that better protect their homes and potentially save on their insurance premiums.
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NUCLEAR WASTE Technology to Reduce the Impact of Used Nuclear Fuel
Transmutation technologies can significantly reduce the mass, volume, activity and lifespan of commercial used nuclear fuel (UNF) by converting long-living hazardous isotopes into materials that decay more quickly.
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WATER SECURITYHuge Groundwater Losses Along Colorado River
New research highlights the groundwater issues complicating the Colorado River’s already strained water supply.
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BATTERIESTrump’s Second Term Is Creating ‘a Limbo Moment’ for U.S. Battery Recyclers
Since January, President Donald Trump has taken a sledgehammer to the Biden administration’s efforts to grow America’s clean energy industry. At the same time, citing economic and national security reasons, Trump has sought to advance efforts to produce more critical minerals like lithium in the United States. That is exactly what the emerging lithium-ion battery recycling industry seeks to do, which is why some industry insiders are optimistic about their future under Trump.
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POWER-GRID RESILIENCE Hardening the Grid: Research Team Focuses on Quake Proofing Transformer Bushings
During an earthquake, the place where a large, high-voltage power transformer is most vulnerable is its bushings – hollow electrical insulators that safely guide current between a transformer’s internal windings and external power lines.
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WATER SECURITYOvershadowed by Border Dispute, India-Pakistan Water Security Risks Grow
Glacial meltwater accounts for a significant portion of annual flows in the Indus River Basin, but as glaciers retreat due to climate change, this flow is decreasing, leading to water scarcity. Pakistan is particularly vulnerable to reduction in Indus River Basin flows: it relies on the Indus River for more than 90 percent of its water, and is already grappling with severe water shortages.
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NUCLEAR POWERVirtual Models Paving the Way for Advanced Nuclear Reactors
Computer models predict how reactors will behave, helping operators make decisions in real time. The digital twin technology using graph-neural networks may boost nuclear reactor efficiency and reliability.
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The long view
RESILIENCEHelping Strengthen America’s Critical Infrastructure
Everyday life depends on a robust infrastructure network that provides access to running water, communications technology and electricity, among other basic necessities. The experts who keep our national infrastructure secure and resilient also need a strong network to share their knowledge and train the next generation of professionals capable of solving complex infrastructure challenges.
ELECTRIC GRIDAI and the Future of the U.S. Electric Grid
Despite its age, the U.S. electric grid remains one of the great workhorses of modern life. Whether it can maintain that performance over the next few years may determine how well the U.S. competes in an AI-driven world.
ENERGY SECURITYUsing Liquid Air for Grid-Scale Energy Storage
New research finds liquid air energy storage could be the lowest-cost option for ensuring a continuous power supply on a future grid dominated by carbon-free but intermittent sources of electricity.
ENERGY SECURITYEnhanced Geothermal Systems: A Promising Source of Round-the-Clock Energy
With its capacity to provide 24/7 power, many are warming up to the prospect of geothermal energy. Scientists are currently working to advance human-made reservoirs in Earth’s deep subsurface to stimulate the activity that exists within natural geothermal systems.
ENERGY SECURITYExperts Discuss Geothermal Potential
Geothermal energy harnesses the heat from within Earth—the term comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat). It is an energy source that has the potential to power all our energy needs for billions of years.